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Nassau County approves incentives for medical office, adopts broader economic‑development grant changes; NCEDB sets 2030 jobs target
Summary
The Board approved a five‑year tax‑rebate grant for a proposed medical office and adopted an amended economic development grant ordinance and companion resolutions. NCEDB director Sherry Mitchell outlined a strategic plan that targets 800 jobs by 2030 and a site‑selectors event to attract employers.
The Nassau County Board of County Commissioners on Jan. 26 approved a five‑year economic development rebate for a proposed medical office and adopted an amended economic development grant ordinance that creates separate tracks for small businesses and speculative buildings.
Sherry Mitchell, executive director of the Nassau County Economic Development Board, told commissioners the board has completed a second five‑year strategic plan and aims to accelerate targeted economic growth. “What we are committed to by 2030 is to host a business within our targeted industry that will offer in the very least 800 jobs,” Mitchell said, framing that goal as conservative. She also described plans for a two‑day site‑selectors event to bring prospective employers to county sites including Wildlight Commerce Park and Patillo Industrial Commerce Park.
On the medical‑office grant (Tab J), staff described an applicant proposing a facility over 12,000 square feet on Amelia Island, projecting about 10 new jobs and roughly $5 million in private investment. Under the incentive as presented, the county would rebate a portion of the applicant’s ad valorem taxes over five years, stepping from a 100% rebate in year one down to 20% in year five; staff estimated the first‑year rebate could be roughly $38,000 and the five‑year average about 49% of the applicant’s county taxes. Commissioner Martin moved approval; Commissioner Gray seconded. The motion passed 5–0.
The board also approved ordinance 2025‑041 and two related resolutions to establish a list of target industries and target development areas (including named sites such as Timber to Tides and identified employment centers). County staff said the changes add grant tracks for small businesses and spec‑building programs to speed tenant occupancy of sites.
Why it matters: The package combines near‑term incentives for a specific private investment with a broader policy change intended to give the county more tools to recruit and retain employers. Commissioners described the actions as steps to diversify the county’s economy and capture jobs locally rather than see employees commute out of the county.
What’s next: Staff will implement the amended grant program and work with the Economic Development Board to pursue the stated KPIs and planned site‑selector outreach. The medical‑office applicant will be processed under the approved five‑year rebate structure.
Sources: Presentation by Sherry Mitchell, NCEDB; staff report and commission motions recorded during the Jan. 26, 2026 meeting.
